Bicyclic amine derivatives as inhibitors of class 1 receptor tyrosine kinases

ABSTRACT

Fused bicyclic amines of formula (1) are described wherein Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group; Y is a —S(O 2 )— or —C(O)— group; R 1  is a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or cyano group; X is a nitrogen atom or a C(R 1a ) group where R 1a  is as defined for R 1  and may be the same or different; W and Z are each a carbon atom and together with U form an optionally substituted five- or six-membered monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof. The compounds are able to inhibit the activity of Class 1 receptor tyrosine kinases and are of use in the prophylaxis and treatment of hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer, psoriasis, restenosis, atherosclerosis and fibrosis.

This application is a 371 of PCT/GB01/01438 filed Mar. 29, 2001.

This invention relates to a series of fused bicyclic amines, to processes for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their use in medicine.

Regulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation by tyrosine kinases is essential for the regulation of cell growth and differentiation [Hanks, S. K. Hunter T., FASEB J. 9, 576–596 (1995)]. The tyrosine kinases may belong to one of two general classes, namely, the transmembrane growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases (EGFr, c-ErbB-2, PDGF, KDR, etc.) [Iwashita S. and Kobayashi M., Cellular Signalling, 4, 123–132 (1992)] and cytoplasmic nonreceptor tyrosine kinases (src, Ick, ZAP70 etc.) [Chan C. et al, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 12, 555–592 (1994)]. In the case of receptor tyrosine kinases, growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), bind to the extracellular binding domain of the receptor, leading to receptor dimerisation and activation of the receptor kinase domain leading to autophosphorylation. This initiates a signal transduction cascade leading ultimately to proliferation. Considerable evidence has emerged to implicate Class 1 receptor tyrosine kinases, such as EGFr and c-ErbB-2 in the progression of several human cancers [Carraway K. & Cantley L, Cell, 78, 5–8 (1994)]. In particular, increased levels of EGFr and c-Erb-2 occur in a significant percentage of breast and non-small cell lung carcinomas in which overexpression correlates with shortened survival times and increased relapse rates. The ability of these receptors to undergo homo- and heterodimerisation leads to an intensification of the transforming signal and contributes to the complexity of the EGFr family signalling network. The disruption of the normal functions of these tyrosine kinases has been implicated in a number of other hyperproliferative disorders such as psoriasis, restenosis, atherosclerosis and fibrosis of the liver and kidney.

The present invention relates to a series of fused bicyclic amines that are able to inhibit the activity of Class I receptor tyrosine kinases, thus permitting a new therapeutic approach for disease states such as cancer, psoriasis, restenosis, atherosclerosis and fibrosis.

Thus according to one aspect of the invention we provide a compound of formula (1):

wherein

Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group;

Y is a —S(O₂)— group;

R¹ is a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or cyano group;

X is a nitrogen atom or a C(R^(1a)) group where R^(1a) is as defined for R¹ and may be the same or different;

W and Z is each a carbon atom and together with U form an optionally substituted five- or six-membered monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group;

and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.

Aryl groups represented by the group Ar in compounds of formula (1) include for example mono- or bicyclic-C₆₋₁₂ optionally substituted aromatic groups, for example optionally substituted phenyl, 1- or 2-naphthyl, or indenyl groups.

Heteroaryl groups represented by Ar include for example C₁₋₉ optionally substituted heteroaromatic groups containing for example one, two, three or four heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms. In general, the heteroaromatic groups may be for example monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaromatic groups. Monocyclic heteroaromatic groups include for example five- or six-membered heteroaromatic groups containing one, two, three or four heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms. Bicyclic heteroaromatic groups include for example nine- to thirteen-membered heteroaromatic groups containing one, two or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms.

The aryl or heteroaryl groups represented by Ar may be attached to the group Y through any available ring carbon or heteroatom as appropriate.

Particular examples of heteroaromatic groups represented by Ar include optionally substituted pyrrolyl, furyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, N-methylimidazolyl, N-ethyl-imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, 1,2,3-triazinyl, benzofuryl, isobenzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzotriazolyl, isobenzothienyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzimidazolyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, quinazolinyl, naphthyridinyl, pyrido[3,4-b]pyridyl, pyrido[3,2-b]pyridyl, pyrido[4,3-b]pyridyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrazolyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolinyl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl.

Optional substituents present on the aryl or heteroaryl groups represented by Ar include one, two, three or more groups, each represented by the group R². The substituent R² may be selected from an atom or group R³ or -Alk¹(R³)_(n), where R³ is a halogen atom, or an amino (—NH₂), substituted amino, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl (—OH), substituted hydroxyl, formyl, carboxyl (—CO₂H), esterified carboxyl, thiol (—SH), substituted thiol, —COR⁴ [where R⁴ is an -Alk¹(R³)_(n), aryl or heteroaryl group], —CSR⁴, —SO₃H, —SO₂R⁴ —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHR⁴, —SO₂N(R⁴)₂, —CONH_(2,) —CSNH₂, —CONHR⁴, —CSNHR⁴, —CON(R⁴)₂, —CSN(R⁴)₂, —NHSO₂H, —NHSO₂R⁴, —N(SO₂R⁴)₂, —NHSO₂NH₂, —NHSO₂NHR⁴ —NHSO₂N(R⁴)₂, —NHCOR⁴, —NHCSR⁴ —NHC(O)OR⁴, aryl or heteroaryl group; Alk¹ is a straight or branched C₁₋₆alkylene, C₂₋₆alkenylene or C₂₋₆alkynylene chain, optionally interrupted by one, two or three —O— or —S— atoms or —S(O)_(p) [where p is an integer 1 or 2] or —N(R⁵)— groups [where R⁵ is a hydrogen atom or C₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. methyl or ethyl group]; and n is zero or an integer 1, 2 or 3.

When in the group -Alk¹(R³)_(n) n is an integer 1, 2 or 3, it is to be understood that the substituent or substituents R³ may be present on any suitable carbon atom in -Alk¹. Where more than one R³ substituent is present these may be the same or different and may be present on the same or different atom in -Alk¹. Clearly, when n is zero and no substituent R³ is present the alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene chain represented by Alk¹ becomes an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group.

When R³ is a substituted amino group it may be for example a group —NHR⁴ [where R⁴ is as defined above] or a group —N[R⁴]₂ wherein each R⁴ group is the same or different.

When R³ is a halogen atom it may be for example a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom.

When R³ is a substituted hydroxyl or substituted thiol group it may be for example —OR⁴, —SR⁴ or —SC(═NH)NH₂ group respectively.

Esterified carboxyl groups represented by the group R³ include groups of formula —CO₂Alk² wherein Alk² is a straight or branched, optionally substituted C₁₋₈alkyl group such as a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl or t-butyl group; a C₆₋₁₂arylC₁₋₈alkyl group such as an optionally substituted benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, 1-naphthylmethyl or 2-naphthylmethyl group; a C₆₋₁₂aryl group such as an optionally substituted phenyl, 1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl group; a C₆₋₁₂aryloxyC₁₋₈-alkyl group such as an optionally substituted phenyloxymethyl, phenyloxyethyl, 1-naphthyloxymethyl, or 2-naphthyloxymethyl group; an optionally substituted C₁₋₈alkanoyloxyC₁₋₈alkyl group, such as a pivaloyloxymethyl, propionyloxyethyl or propionyloxypropyl group; or a C₆₋₁₂aroyloxyC₁₋₈alkyl group such as an optionally substituted benzoyloxyethyl or benzoyl-oxypropyl group. Optional substituents present on the Alk² group include R⁸ substituents described above.

When Alk¹ is present in or as a substituent R² it may be for example a methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, i-propylene, n-butylene, i-butylene, s-butylene, t-butylene, ethenylene, 2-propenylene, 2-butenylene, 3-butenylene, ethynylene, 2-propynylene, 2-butynylene or 3-butynylene chain, optionally interrupred by one, two, or three —O— or —S—, atoms or —S(O)—, —S(O)₂— or —N(R⁵)— groups.

Aryl or heteroaryl groups represented by the groups R³ or R⁴ include mono- or bicyclic optionally substituted C₆₋₁₂ aromatic or C₁₋₉ heteroaromatic groups as described above for the group Ar. The aromatic and heteroaromatic groups may be attached to the remainder of the compound of formula (1) by any carbon or hetero e.g. nitrogen atom as appropriate.

Particularly useful atoms or groups represented by R² include fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms, or C₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. methyl or ethyl, C₁₋₆hydroxyalkyl, e.g. hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl, C₁₋₆alkylthiol e.g. methylthiol or ethylthiol, C₁₋₆alkoxy, e.g. methoxy or ethoxy, C₅₋₇cycloalkoxy, e.g. cyclopentyloxy, haloC₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. trifluoromethyl, haloC₁₋₆alkoxy e.g. trifluoromethoxy, C₁₋₆alkylamino, e.g. methylamino or ethylamino, amino (—NH₂), aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. aminomethyl or aminoethyl, C₁₋₆dialkylamino, e.g. dimethylamino or diethylamino, imido, such as phthalimido or naphthalimido, e.g. 1,8-naphthalimido, 1,1,3-trioxobenzo-[d]thiazolidino, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl (—OH), formyl [HC(O)—], carboxyl (—CO₂H), —CO₂Alk² [where Alk² is as defined above], C₁₋₆ alkanoyl e.g. acetyl, thiol (—SH), thioC₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. thiomethyl or thioethyl, —SC(═NH)NH₂, sulphonyl (—SO₃H), C₁₋₆alkylsulphonyl, e.g. methylsulphonyl, aminosulphonyl (—SO₂NH₂), C₁₋₆alkylaminosulphonyl, e.g. methylaminosulphonyl or ethylaminosulphonyl, C₁₋₆dialkylaminosulphonyl, e.g. dimethylaminosulphonyl or diethylaminosulphonyl, phenylaminosulphonyl, carboxamido (—CONH₂), C₁₋₆alkylaminocarbonyl, e.g. methylaminocarbonyl or ethylaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆dialkylaminocarbonyl, e.g. dimethylaminocarbonyl or diethylaminocarbonyl, sulphonylamino (—NHSO₂H), C₁₋₆alkylsulphonylamino, e.g. methylsulphonylamino or ethylsulphonylamino, C₁₋₆dialkylsulphonylamino, e.g. dimethylsulphonylamino or diethylsulphonylamino, optionally substituted phenylsulphonylamino, e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-substituted phenylsulphonylamino such as 2-nitrophenylsulphonylamino, aminosulphonylamino (—NHSO₂NH₂), C₁₋₆alkylaminosulphonylamino, e.g. methylaminosulphonylamino or ethylaminosulphonylamino, C₁₋₆dialkylaminosulphonylamino, e.g. dimethylamino-sulphonylamino or diethylaminosulphonylamino, phenylaminosulphonylamino, C₁₋₆alkanoylamino, e.g. acetylamino, C₁₋₆alkanoylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. acetylaminomethyl, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonylamino, e.g. methoxycarbonylamino, ethoxycarbonylamino or t-butoxycarbonylamino or optionally substituted benzyloxy groups.

Where desired, two R² substituents may be linked together to form a cyclic group such as a cyclic ether, e.g. a C₁₋₆alkylenedioxy group such as methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy.

It will be appreciated that where two or more R² substituents are present, these need not necessarily be the same atoms and/or groups.

When W, Z and U form an optionally substituted five- or six-membered monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group the group may be for example an optionally substituted phenyl or five- or six-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic group containing one or two nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur atoms. Particular examples of such groups include optionally substituted pyrazolyl, pyridyl and pyrimidinyl groups. In general, the optional substituents which may be present on aromatic or heteroaromatic groups represented by W, Z and U together, include one to four R² substituents where R² is as defined previously in connection with Ar aryl and heteroaryl groups.

Halogen atoms represented by the groups R¹ and R^(1a) in compounds of formula (1) include fluroine, chlorine, bromine and iodine atoms.

Alkyl groups represented by R¹ and R^(1a) include C₁₋₆alkyl groups, e.g. C₁₋₄alkyl such as methyl and ethyl groups.

Alkoxy groups represented by R¹ and R^(1a) include C₁₋₆alkoxy groups, e.g. C₁₋₆alkoxy such as methoxy and ethoxy.

Haloalkyl and haloalkoxy groups represented by R¹ and R^(1a) include those alkyl and alkoxy groups just mentioned in which one or more carbon atoms is substituted by one, two or three halogen atoms, e.g. fluorine or chlorine atoms. Particular examples include —CF₃, —CCl₃, —CHF₂, —CHCl₂, —CH₂CF₃, —CH(CF₃)₂, —CH₂CH(CF₃)₂, —C(CF₃)₂CH₃, and the corresponding alkoxy groups.

The presence of certain substituents in the compounds of formula (1) may enable salts of the compounds to be formed. Suitable salts include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, for example acid addition salts derived from inorganic or organic acids, and salts derived from inorganic and organic bases.

Acid addition salts include hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, hydroiodides, alkylsulphonates, e.g. methanesulphonates, ethanesulphonates, or isethionates, arylsulphonates, e.g. p-toluenesulphonates, besylates or napsylates, phosphates, sulphates, hydrogen sulphates, acetates, trifluoroacetates, propionates, citrates, maleates, fumarates, malonates, succinates, lactates, oxalates, tartrates and benzoates.

Salts derived from inorganic or organic bases include alkali metal salts such as sodium or potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium or calcium salts, and organic amine salts such as morpholine, piperidine, dimethylamine or diethylamine salts.

Particularly useful salts of compounds according to the invention include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, especially acid addition pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

It will be appreciated that where compounds of formula (1) exist as geometrical isomers and/or enantiomers or diasteromers then the invention extends to all such isomers of the compounds of formula (1), and to mixtures thereof, including racemates.

One particularly useful group of compounds according to the invention is that wherein Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic group. Particularly useful compounds of this type are those wherein Ar is an optionally substituted phenyl group. In compounds of this type Ar may be in particular a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by one or two R² groups as defined herein.

In a further preference, W and Z together with U form an optionally substituted phenyl group. Particularly useful compounds of this type include compounds of formula (1a):

wherein R^(2a) and R^(2b), which may be the same or different is each a hydrogen atom or an atom or group R² as generally and specifically defined previously, Ar, Y, X and R¹ are as generally and specifically defined previously, and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.

In compounds of formula (1a), Ar is in particular an optionally substituted phenyl group, Y is —S(O₂)— and X is a C(R^(1a)) group where R^(1a) is a cyano group, or X is a nitrogen atom. X is most preferably a nitrogen atom.

In compounds of formulae (1) and (1a) R¹ is preferably a hydrogen atom.

Particularly preferred optional substituents which may be present on phenyl rings represented by Ar in compounds of formula (1a) include halogen atoms, especially fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms, or cyano, C₁₋₆alkoxy e.g. methoxy or ethoxy, or C₁₋₆alkyl groups e.g. methyl or ethyl groups.

Especially preferred optional substituents include those substituents just described located at the 3- or most especially 2-position of the phenyl ring respresented by Ar in compounds of formula (1a).

In one preferred class of compounds of formula (1a) R^(2a) or R^(2b) is a substituent R² as hereinbefore defined other than a hydrogen atom.

In another preferred class of compounds of formula (1a) R^(2a) and R^(2b) is each a substituent R² as hereinbefore defined other than a hydrogen atom.

In another preferred class of compounds of formula (1a) R^(2a) and R^(2b) which may be the same or different is each a C₁₋₆alkoxy group, especially a methoxy or ethoxy group.

Particularly useful compounds according to the invention include:

-   2-Bromo-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; -   N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin4-yl)-2-iodobenzenesulphonamide; -   2-Cyano-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; -   4-Bromo-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; -   2-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; -   3-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; -   4-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; -   N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin4-yl)4-methoxybenzenesulphonamide; -   N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin4-yl)4-methylbenzenesulphonamide;     and the salts, solvates and hydrates thereof.

Compounds according to the invention are potent and selective inhibitors of Class I receptor tyrosine kinases, especially EGFr kinase as demonstrated by differential inhibition of this enzyme when compared to inhibition of other protein kinases such as p56^(Ick) kinase, protein kinase C, KDR kinase and FGFr2 kinase. The ability of the compounds to act in this way may be simply determined by the tests described in the Examples hereinafter.

The compounds according to the invention are thus of particular use in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases in which inappropriate Class I receptor tyrosine kinase action plays a role, for example in hyperproliferative disorders such as tumours, psoriasis, restenosis following angioplasty, atherosclerosis, and fibrosis e.g. of the liver and kidney.

For the prophylaxis or treatment of disease the compounds according to the invention may be administered as pharmaceutical compositions, and according to a further aspect of the invention we provide a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of formula (1) together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents.

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may take a form suitable for oral, buccal, parenteral, nasal, topical or rectal administration, or a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions may take the form of, for example, tablets, lozenges or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g. pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g. magnesium stearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g. potato starch or sodium glycollate); or wetting agents (e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate). The tablets may be coated by methods well known in the art. Liquid preparations for oral administration may take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents, emulsifying agents, non-aqueous vehicles and preservatives. The preparations may also contain buffer salts, flavouring, colouring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

Preparations for oral administration may be suitably formulated to give controlled release of the active compound.

For buccal administration the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

The compounds for formula (1) may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection e.g. by bolus injection or infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g. in glass ampoule or multi dose containers, e.g. glass vials. The compositions for injection may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilising, preserving and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

In addition to the formulations described above, the compounds of formula (1) may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation or by intramuscular injection.

For nasal administration or administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation for pressurised packs or a nebuliser, with the use of suitable propellant, e.g. dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas or mixture of gases.

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack or dispensing device may be accompanied by instructions for administration.

The quantity of a compound of the invention required for the prophylaxis or treatment of a particular condition will vary depending on the compound chosen, and the condition of the patient to be treated. In general, however, daily dosages may range from around 100 ng/kg to 100 mg/kg e.g. around 0.01 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg body weight for oral or buccal administration, from around 10 ng/kg to 50 mg/kg body weight for parenteral administration and around 0.05 mg to around 1000 mg e.g. around 0.5 mg to around 1000 mg for nasal administration or administration by inhalation or insufflation.

The compounds of the invention may be prepared by a number of processes as generally described below and more specifically in the

Examples hereinafter. In the following process description, the symbols R¹, Ar, X, Y, Z, W and U when used in the formulae depicted are to be understood to represent those groups described above in relation to formula (1) unless otherwise indicated. In the reactions described below, it may be necessary to protect reactive functional groups, for example hydroxy, amino, thio or carboxy groups, where these are desired in the final product, to avoid their unwanted participation in the reactions. Conventional protecting groups may be used in accordance with standard practice [see, for example, Green, T. W. in “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, John Wiley and Sons, 1991]. In some instances, deprotection may be the final step in the synthesis of a compound of formula (1) and the processes according to the invention described hereinafter are to be understood to extend to such removal of protecting groups.

Thus according to a further aspect of the invention, a compound of formula (1) may be prepared by reaction of a sulphonamide or amide ArYNH₂ with a compound of formula (2):

where Hal is a halogen atom such as a chlorine atom.

The reaction may be performed at an elevated temperature, for exampale the reflux temperature, where necessary in the presence of a solvent, for example a substituted amide such as dimethylformamide, optionally in the presence of a base, for example an inorganic base such as sodium hydride, or most preferably a carbonate such as potassium or caesium carbonate.

Intermediate sulphonamides and amides represented by ArlYNH₂ and intermediates of formula (2) are either known compounds or may be obtained by conventional procedures, for example from the known compounds by using one or more of the standard substitution and/or oxidation, reduction or cleavage reactions described below in relation to interconversion of compounds of formula (1).

Thus compounds of formula (1) may also be prepared by interconversion of other compounds of formula (1) and it is to be understood that the invention extends to such interconversion processes. Thus, for example, standard substitution approaches employing for example alkylation, arylation, acylation, thioacylation, sulphonylation, formylation or coupling reactions may be used to add new substitutents to and/or extend existing substituents in compounds of formula (1). Alternatively existing substituents in compounds of formula (1) may be modified by for example oxidation, reduction or cleavage reactions to yield other compounds of formula (1).

The following describes in general terms a number of approaches which can be employed to modify existing Ar and aromatic or heteroaromatic groups represented by groups W, Z and U together in compounds of formula (1). It will be appreciated that each of these reactions will only be possible where one or more appropriate functional groups exist in the compound of formula (1).

Thus, for example alkylation or arylation of a compound of formula (1), for example to introduce a group -Alk¹(R³)_(n) or R³ where R³ is an aryl group may be achieved by reaction of the compound with a reagent (R³)_(n)Alk¹L or R³L, where L is a leaving group such as a halogen atom, e.g. a bromine, iodine or chlorine atom or a sulphonyloxy group such as an alkylsulphonyloxy, e.g. trifluoromethylsulphonyloxy or arylsulphonyloxy, e.g. phenylsulphonyloxy group. The alkylation or arylation reaction may be carried out in the presence of a base, e.g. an inorganic base such as a carbonate, e.g. caesium or potassium carbonate, an alkoxide, e.g. potassium t-butoxide, or a hydride, e.g. sodium hydride, in a dipolar aprotic solvent such as an amide, e.g. a substitued amide such as diemethylformamide or an ether, e.g. a cyclic ether such as tetrahydrofuran, at around 0° C. to 100° C.

In another general example of an interconversion process, a compound of formula (1) may be acylated or thioacylated, for example to introduce a group —C(O)R⁴ or —C(S)R⁴. The reaction may be performed for example with an acyl or thioacyl halide or anhydride in the presence of a base, such as an organic amine e.g. triethylamine or pyridine in a solvent such as an aromatic or halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. toluene, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, e.g. dimethylaminopyridine dichloromethane at for example ambient up to the reflux temperature, or by reaction with a thioester in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a low temperature such as around 0° C.

Compounds of formula (1) may be prepared in another general interconversion reaction by sulphonylation, for example by reaction of the compound with a reagent R⁴S(O)L or R⁴SO₂L where L is a leaving group as described above in the presence of a base, for example an inorganic base such as sodium hydride in a solvent such as an amide, e.g. a substituted amide such as dimethylformamide at for example ambient temperature. The reaction may in particular be performed with compounds of formula (1) in which Ar and/or X, Y and A together possesses a primary or secondary amino group.

In further examples of interconversion reactions according to the invention compounds of formula (1) may be prepared from other compounds of formula (1) by modification of existing functional groups in the latter.

Thus in one example, ester groups —CO₂Alk² in compounds of formula (1) may be converted to the corresponding acid [—CO₂H] by acid- or base-catalysed hydrolysis depending on the nature of the group Alk². Acid- or base-catalysed hydrolysis may be achieved for example by treatment with an organic or inorganic acid, e.g. trifluoroacetic acid in an aqueous solvent or a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid in a solvent such as dioxan or an alkali metal hydroxide, e.g. lithium hydroxide in an aqueous alcohol, e.g. aqueous methanol.

In a second example, —OR⁴ [where R⁴ represents an alkyl group such as methyl group] groups in compounds of formula (1) may be cleaved to the corresponding alcohol —OH by reaction with boron tribromide in a solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane at a low temperature, e.g. around −78° C.

In another example, alcohol —OH groups in compounds of formula (1) may be converted to a corresponding —OR⁴ group by coupling with a reagent R⁴OH in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran in the presence of a phosphine, e.g. triphenylphosphine and an activator such as diethyl-, diisopropyl-, or dimethylazodicarboxylate.

Aminosulphonylamino [—NHSO₂NH₂] groups in compounds of formula (1) may be obtained, in another example, by reaction of a corresponding amine [—NH₂] with sulphamide in the presence of an organic base such as pyridine at an elevated temperature, e.g. the reflux temperature.

In another example of an interconversion reaction, amine (—NH₂) groups may be alkylated using a reductive alkylation process employing an aldehyde and a borohydride, for example sodium triacetoxyborohyride or sodium cyanoborohydride, in a solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, a ketone such as acetone, or an alcohol, e.g. ethanol, where necessary in the presence of an acid such as acetic acid at around ambient temperature.

In a further example, amine [—NH₂] groups in compounds of formula (1) may be obtained by hydrolysis from a corresponding imide by reaction with hydrazine in a solvent such as an alcohol, e.g. ethanol at ambient temperature.

In another example, a nitro [—NO₂] group may be reduced to an amine [—NH₂], for example by catalytic hydrogenation using for example hydrogen in the presence of a metal catalyst, for example palladium on a support such as carbon in a solvent such as an ether, e.g. tetrahydrofuran or an alcohol e.g. methanol, or by chemical reduction using for example a metal, e.g. tin or iron, in the presence of an acid such as hydrochloric acid.

In a further example, amide [—CONHR⁴] groups in compounds of formula (1) may be obtained by coupling a corresponding acid [—CO₂H] or an active derivative thereof, e.g. an acid anhydride, ester, imide or halide, with an amine R⁴NH₂. The coupling reaction may be performed using standard conditions for reactions of this type. Thus for example the reaction may be carried out in a solvent, for example an inert organic solvent such as an amide, e.g. a substituted amide such as dimethylformamide, at a low temperature, e.g. −30° C. to ambient temperature, optionally in the presence of a base, e.g. an organic base such as a cyclic amine, e.g. N-methylmorpholine, and where necessary in the presence of a condensing agent, for example a diimide such as 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, advantageously in the presence of a catalyst such as a N-hydroxytriazole, e.g. 1-hydroxybenzotriazole.

Aromatic halogen substituents in compounds of the invention may be subjected to halogen-metal exchange with a base, for example a lithium base such as n-butyl or t-butyl lithium, optionally at a low temperature, e.g. around −78° C., in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran and then quenched with an electrophile to introduce a desired substituent. Thus, for example, a formyl group may be introduced by using dimethylformamide as the electrophile; a thiomethyl group may be introduced by using dimethyidisulphide as the electrophile.

In another example, sulphur atoms in compounds of the invention may be oxidised to the corresponding sulphoxide using an oxidising agent such as a peroxy acid, e.g. 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, in an inert solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, at around ambient temperature.

In a further example of an interconversion reaction, a compound of the invention containing a substituent R² in which R² is an aryl or heteroaryl group may be prepared by coupling a corresponding compound in which the R² substituent is a halogen atom such as a bromine atom, with a boronic acid Ar¹B(OH)₂ [in which Ar¹ is an aryl or heteroaryl group as defined above for Ar] in the presence of a complex metal catalyst.

Suitable catalysts include heavy metal catalysts, for example palladium catalysts such as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium. The reaction may be performed in an inert organic solvent, for example an ether such as dimethoxyethane, in the presence of a base, e.g. an alkali carbonate such as sodium carbonate, at an elevated temperature, e.g. the reflux temperature.

N-oxides of compounds of formula (1) may be prepared for example by oxidation of the corresponding nitrogen base using an oxidising agent such as hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid such as acetic acid, at an elevated temperature, for example around 70° C. to 80° C., or alternatively by reaction with a peracid such as peracetic acid in a solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, at ambient temperature.

The following Examples illustrate the invention.

All temperatures are in ° C.

The following abbreviations are used:

DEAD - Diethyl azodicarboxylate; EtOAc - ethyl acetate; DCM - dichloromethane; MeOH - methanol; LCMS - liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy. THF - tetrahydrofuran; RT - retention time; DMF - dimethylformamide;

All NMR's were obtained at 300 MHz, unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 4-Bromo-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide

To a suspension of sodium hydride [60% dispersion in oil] (135 mg, 6.6 mmol) in dry DMF (10 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0° C. was added benzenesulphonamide (0.78 g, 3.3 mmol) and the mixture stirred with warming to ambient temperature over 0.5 h. To this mixture was added 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.75 g, 3.3 mmol) and the reaction temperature was raised to 80° for 12 h. The reaction was poured onto 80 ml ice-water adjusted to pH 5 with 2 M hydrochloric acid. The resulting precipitate was collected by filtration and dried before being subjected to column chromatography [SiO₂; 20–60% EtOAc-hexane] to give the title compound (110 mg) as a white solid. M.p. 241–242°.δH (d⁶ DMSO) 8.34 (1H, s), 7.90 (2H, d, J 8.5 Hz), 7.73 (2H, d, J 8.5 Hz), 7.50 (1H, s), 7.13 (1H, s), 3.93 (3H, s) and 3.89 (3H, s).

EXAMPLE 2 2-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide

From 2-chlorobenzenesulphonamide (0.63 g, 3.3 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.75 g, 3.3 mmol) and sodium hydride [60%] (135 mg, 6.6 mmol) to give the title compound (37 mg) as a white solid M.p.>270° (decomp.). δH (CDCl3) 8.26 (1 H, dd, J 6.7, 0.8 Hz), 8.11 (1 H, s), 7.59 (1H, s), 7.51–7.33 (4H, m), 7.14 (1H, s), 4.01 (3H, s) and 3.93 (3H, s).

EXAMPLE 3 3-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide

From 3-chlorobenzenesulphonamide (0.63 g, 3.3 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.75 g, 3.3 mmol) and sodium hydride [60%] (135 mg, 6.6 mmol) to give the title compound (9 mg) as a white solid. M.p. 186–188°. δH (d⁶-DMSO) 8.35 (1H, s), 7.97 (1H, s), 7.89 (1H, d, J 7.6 Hz), 7.62–7.52 (2H, m), 7.50 (1H, m), 7.12 (1H, s), 3.92 (3H, s) and 3.89 (3H, s).

EXAMPLE 4 4-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide

From 4-chlorobenzenesulphonamide (0.63 g, 3.3 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.75 g, 3.3 mmol) and sodium hydride [60%] (135 mg, 6.6 mmol) to give the title compound (7 mg) as a white solid. M.p. 228–230°. δH (CDCl₃) 8.06 (1H, s), 7.94 (2H, d, J 8.8 Hz), 7.61 (1H, s), 7.46 (2H, d, J 8.8 Hz), 7.14 (1H, s), 4.02 (3H, s) and 3.98 (3H, s).

EXAMPLE 5 N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)-4-methoxybenzenesulphonamide

From 4-methoxybenzenesulphonamide (0.62 g, 3.3 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.75 g, 3.3 mmol) and sodium hydride [60%] (135 mg, 6.6 mmol) to give the title compound (40 mg) as a white solid. M.p.>240°. δH (d⁶ DMSO) 8.30 (1H, s), 7.92 (2H, d, J 8.9 Hz), 7.50 (1H, s), 7.16 (1H, s), 7.04 (2H, d, J 8.9 Hz), 3.92 (3H, s), 3.87 (3H, s) and 3.79 (3H, s).

EXAMPLE 6 N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)4-methylbenzenesulphonamide

From 4-methoxybenzenesulphonamide (0.56 g, 3.3 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.75 g, 3.3 mmol) and sodium hydride [60%] (135 mg, 6.6 mmol) to give the title compound (8 mg) as a white solid. M.p.>250°. δH (CDCl₃) 8.08 (1H, s), 7.92 (2H, d, J 8.4 Hz), 7.63 (1H, s), 7.27 (2H, d, J 8.4 Hz), 7.12 (1H, s), 4.02 (3H, s) and 3.98 (3H, s).

EXAMPLE 7 N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)-2-iodobenzenesulphonamide

From 2-iodobenzenesulphonamide (0.61 g, 2.0 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.4 g, 2.0 mmol) and sodium hydride (60%) (80 mg, 2.0 mmol) to give the title compound (26 mg) as white crystals. LCMS (ES⁺, 70 eV): m/z 4712 (M+H)⁺ RT 3.14 min.

EXAMPLE 8 2-Cyano-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide

From 2-cyanobenzenesulphonaomide (0.40 g, 2.0 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.4 g, 2.0 mmol) and sodium hydride (60%) (80 mg, 2.0 mmol) to give the title compound (5.6 mg) as white crystals. LCMS (ES⁺, 70 eV): m/z 372 (M+H)⁺, RT=2.92 min.

EXAMPLE 9 2-Bromo-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide

From 2-bromobenzenesulphonamide (0.5 g, 2.0 mmol), 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (0.4 g, 2.0 mmol) and sodium hydride (60%) (80 mg, 2.0 mmol) to give the title compound (15 mg) as white crystals. LCMS (EC⁺, 70 eV): m/z 425 (M+H)⁺, RT=3.13 min.

Biological Activity

The following assays were used to demonstrate the activity and selectivity of compounds according to the invention:

KDR Kinase and FGFr2 Kinase

The activities of recombinant KDR kinase and FGFr2 kinase were determined by measuring their ability to transfer the γ-phosphate from [³³P]ATP to polyglutamic acid-tyrosine (pEY).

The assay methodology employed for both kinases is identical except that in the assay of KDR kinase the diluent used throughout was 20 mM HEPES pH 7.25 containing 2 mM MnCl₂, 2 mM MnCl₂, 5 mM DTT and 0.05% Brij 35, whereas in the FGFr2 assay 10 mM MnCl₂ is used instead of 2 mM MnCl₂ and 2 mM MnCl₂.

The assay was conducted in a total volume of 202 μl containing 1–10 ng kinase, 5 μg/ml pEY (4:1) (Sigma, UK), 1 μM ATP (containing ˜50,000 cpm [³³P]ATP (Amersham International, UK) (Sigma, UK) and test inhibitors at the appropriate concentration. The test inhibitors were dissolved in DMSO and added such that the final concentration of DMSO in the assay did not exceed 2% (v/v). The assay was initiated by addition of kinase and terminated after 10 minutes incubation at room temperature by addition of 50 μl of 20 mM HEPES pH 7.25 containing 0.125 M EDTA and 10 mM ATP. A 200 μl aliquot was applied to the well of a Millipore (UK) MAFC filter plate containing 100 μl of 30% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The plate was then placed on a suitable manifold and connected to a vacuum. After complete elimination of the liquid each well was washed under vacuum using five volumes (100 μl per wash) of 10% (w/v) TCA and finally two volumes (100 μl per wash) of ethanol. The bottom of the filter plate was then sealed and 100 μl per well of Ultima Gold (Beckham, UK) scintillant was added to each well. The readioactivity was measured using an appropiate scintillation counter such as a Wallac Trilux or Packard TopCount. The IC₅₀ value for each inhibitor was obtained from log dose inhibition curves fitted to the four-parameters logistic equation.

p56^(Ick) Kinase

The tyrosine kinase activity of p56^(Ick) was determined using a RR-src peptide (RRLIEDNEYTARG) and [γ-³³P]ATP as substrates. Quantitation of the ³³P-phosphorylated peptide formed by the action of p56^(Ick) was achieved using an adaption of the method of Geissler et al (J. Biol. Chem. (1990) 265, 22255–22261).

All assays were performed in 20 mM HEPES pH 7.5 containing 10 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM MnCl₂, 0.05% Brij, 1 μM ATP (0.5 μCi[γ-³³P]ATP) and 0.8 mg/ml RR-src. Inhibitors in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) were added such that the final concentration of DMSO did not exceed 1%, and enzyme such that the consumption of ATP was less than 10%. After incubation at 30° C. for 15 min, the reaction was terminated by the addition of one-third volume of stop reagent (0.25 mM EDTA and 33 mM ATP in dH₂O). A 15 μl aliquot was removed, spotted onto a P-30 filtermat (Wallac, Milton Keynes, UK), and washed sequentially with 1% acetic acid and de-ionised water to remove ATP. The bound ³³P-RR-src was quantitated by scintillation counting of the filtermat in a Betaplate scintillation counter (Wallac, Milton Keynes, UK) after addition of Meltilex scintillant (Wallac, Milton Keynes, UK).

The dpm obtained, being directly proportional to the amount of ³³P-RR-src produced by p56^(Ick), were used to determine the IC₅₀ for each compound. The IC₅₀ was defined as the concentration of compound required to reduce the production of ³³P-RR-src by 50%.

EGFr Kinase

The tyrosine kinase activity of the EGF receptor (EGFr) was determined using a similar methodology to the p56^(Ick) kinase assay, except that the RR-src peptide was replaced by a peptide substrate for EGFr obtained from Amersham International plc (Little Chalfont, UK) and used at the manufacturer's recommended concentration. IC₅₀ values were determined as described previously in the p56^(Ick) assay.

Protein Kinase C Assay

Inhibitor activity against protein kinase C (PKC) was determined using PKC obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (Poole, UK) and a commercially available assay system (Amersham International plc, Amersham, UK). Briefly, PKC catalyses the transfer of the γ-phosphate (³²P) of ATP to the threonine group on a peptide specific for PKC.

Phosphorylated peptide is bound to phosphocellulose paper and subsequently quantified by scintillation counting. The inhibitor potency is expressed as either (i) the concentration required to inhibit 50% of the enzyme activity (IC₅₀) or (ii) the percentage inhibition achieved by 10 μM inhibitor.

In these tests, compounds of the invention have IC₅₀ values in the EGFr kinase assay of around 1 μM and below. In contrast, in the other assays described, the same compounds had IC₅₀ values in each assay of greater than 10 μM. In each instance the compound clearly had potent and selective EGFR kinase inhibitory action. 

1. A compound of formula (1a)

wherein Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group; Y is a —S(O₂)— group; R¹ is a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or haloalkoxy group; X is a nitrogen atom; and R^(2a) and R^(2b), which may be the same or different, are each a C₁₋₆alkoxy group; or a salt, solvate, hydrate, or N-oxide thereof.
 2. A compound which is: 2-Bromo-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)-2-iodobenzenesulphonamide; 2-Cyano-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; 4-Bromo-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; 2-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; 3-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; 4-Chloro-N-(6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)benzenesulphonamide; N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)-4-methoxybenzenesulphonamide; N-(6,7-Dimethoxyquinazolin-4-yl)-4-methylbenzenesulphonamide; or a salt, solvate, and hydrate thereof.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents.
 4. A method for treating psoriasis comprising administering to a mammal suffering from psoriasis a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to formula (1a):

wherein: Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group; Y is a —S(O₂)— group; X is a nitrogen atom; R¹ is a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or haloalkoxy group; and R^(2a) and R^(2b), which may be the same or different, are each a C₁₋₆alkoxy group; or a salt, solvate, hydrate, or N-oxide thereof. 